Theories and explanations in biology, cognitive science, neuroscience
and psychology typically describe or purport to describe mechanisms. Accordingly,
many of the activities of scientists in these disciplines can be understood
in terms of the search for mechanisms. What, exactly, is a mechanism? What
counts as an adequate description of a mechanism? What is distinctive about
mechanistic explanation? How does the search for mechanisms shape the search
for evidence and the design of experiments? Are there strategies for discovering
and testing mechanisms? Under what conditions are these strategies likely
to succeed or fail? How is the contemporary conception of a mechanism related
to previous incarnations of the mechanical philosophy? What is distinctive
about theories that describe mechanisms? What is the relationship between
mechanisms and laws of nature? What is the best way to understand the notion
of causality implicit in the notion of a mechanism? These questions and
more will be discussed using case studies from the mechanistic sciences.

II. Requirements

This course is a seminar, and as such will be heavily focused around
discussion. Students must come to class prepared and ready to discuss
the material assigned. During the first half of the course each student
will be expected to give one seminar presentation and to submit a short
paper (approximately 5 pages). Students are encouraged to do their
paper on the topic of their presentation. During the second half of the
course each student will give another presentation and submit a term paper
(approximately 15 pages). The short paper and presentations
will each count for 20% of your grade, the final paper for 40%. If
possible, please turn your papers in an electronic format, sending them
by email attachment to bill@twinearth.wustl.edu.

Djiksterhuis, Mechanization of
the World Picture Epilogue
M. Boas: “Establishment of the Mechanical Philosophy”

5)February 13: 18-19C
Mechanism and Vitalism

Hall, History of General Physiology, Chapters 36, 44,
45
Bernard: An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine,
Part II: Experimentation with Living Beings
Bechtel and Richardson,
Chapter 5, “The Rejection of Mechanism”